What Rowing Programmes Does Wallingford Rowing Club Offer?

Wallingford Rowing Club runs five distinct programmes — Junior, Senior, Masters, Novice, and Recreational — so the right entry point depends mainly on your age and experience rather than on ability alone. Juniors aged J14–18 join a squad of over 130; adults new to the sport start with a Novice learn-to-row course; experienced rowers go straight into Senior or Masters squads; and anyone who wants to row without competing can use the recreational option. The club rows on 10km of the Upper Thames, which it describes as the longest uninterrupted stretch on the upper river.

Junior Rowing (J14–18)

This is the club's largest and most competitive pathway, with over 130 juniors across the age groups.

• Programme led by Katie Greves, an Olympic silver medallist
• 11 GB vests won in 2025 and 5 in 2024
• Victor Ludorum in the past 2 British Rowing Championships
• 11 National Schools medals in the past 4 years
• Described by the club as a community club that nurtures its Juniors

Choose this if: you are between J14 and J18 and want a structured, competitive junior programme with a track record of national and international representation.

Senior Rowing

The Senior squad is actively recruiting and is aimed at adults who want to train and race seriously.

• Coaching team led by Tim Brock and Cameron Moffatt
• A programme designed to help members achieve their goals
• Access to 10km of river and the club's own fully equipped gym
• A history of wins at Henley Women's Regatta (HWR) and Henley Royal Regatta (HRR)
• Described as "tough on the water, warm and sociable off it"

Choose this if: you already row and want a competitive adult programme with strong coaching and a social club culture.

Masters Rowing

Masters covers older adults, with categories running from MasC through to G.

• Large numbers of men and women across the age categories
• Multiple wins at Henley Masters, World and European Masters, National Masters, and Tideway Heads over the past 10 years
• Both sculling and sweeping available
• Recreational rowing available within the squad
• Post-outing cake and coffee described as a requisite

Choose this if: you are an adult rower past the senior age brackets and want competition at Masters level, or a more social version of the same squad.

Novice Rowing

The Novice programme is the entry route for adults who have never rowed.

• Over 30 members in the beginners squad
• Both recreational and competitive rowing on offer
• Learn to row on one of 3 adult courses per year
• All ages welcome, with progression encouraged into the Senior or Masters squads

Choose this if: you are an adult with no rowing experience. The three annual courses are the practical starting point, and you can decide afterwards whether to move into a competitive squad or stay recreational.

Recreational Rowing

Recreational rowing is available alongside the competitive squads rather than as a separate membership track. It suits members who want time on the water without a racing schedule, and it appears in both the Masters and Novice descriptions.

Facilities and Equipment

Whatever programme you join, the same club equipment is available:

How to Decide

• Under 18? Junior Rowing is the only relevant pathway.
• Adult, never rowed? Start with a Novice learn-to-row course (3 per year).
• Adult, experienced, want to race? Senior Rowing.
• Adult, experienced, older or prefer a Masters environment? Masters Rowing, which also accommodates recreational rowing.
• Want water time without competition? Recreational rowing through the Masters or Novice route.

The club also hosts and competes in a busy calendar of heads and regattas, including Wallingford Head, 4s Heads, Wallingford Long Distance Sculls, and Henley Sculls, so there are regular opportunities to test yourself once you have chosen a squad.